Embedded Systems Department Head (FACULTY)

The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University; University Park (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Job summary

The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University invites applications for a senior role leading the Embedded Systems Department. You will guide strategic direction, oversee real‑time control, edge analytics, and system integration while partnering with sponsors and defense contractors to transition capabilities to warfighter platforms.

State College, PA on‑site role with periodic travel. DoD‑clearance eligibility and program leadership experience are highly valued for driving impactful

Qualifications

• Experience in embedded hardware design and RTOS environments.
• Proven track record in hardware/software co-design and integration.
• Experience with edge computing and data acquisition systems.
• Background in automated control systems and real‑time performance optimization.
• Demonstrated ability to author technical white papers or reports.
• Eligible for access to classified information (Secret level or higher).
• Leadership experience in building and mentoring multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all aspects of the Embedded Systems Department, providing strategic direction, technical leadership, and operational oversight.
• Support division leadership in developing and maintaining relationships with sponsors to meet funding objectives.
• Build and direct a multidisciplinary team focused on embedded systems architectures, complex systems integration, hardware‑software integration, edge analytics, and mission‑critical control systems.
• Lead individual research projects and portfolios including developing technical concepts, writing proposals, staffing, research, budgets, and delivering results.
• Provide technical oversight of embedded hardware and software development, ensuring quality and rigor of deliverables and outputs.
• Transition cutting‑edge embedded systems capabilities to operational platforms for the warfighter.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop staff with expertise in embedded systems, edge computing, and real‑time control.
• Foster a culture of innovation, technical excellence, and mission focus.

Skills

Embedded hardware

RTOS programming

HW/SW co-design

Edge computing

Data acquisition

Control systems

System integration

DoD clearance

White papers

Leadership

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

We are searching for a department head for the Embedded Systems Department (ESD) of the Materials, Manufacturing and Sustainment Office (MMSO) at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. The Embedded Systems Department is dedicated to developing embedded hardware and software solutions in addition to driving integration of complex systems. The department focuses on real‑time control and data acquisition, edge computing architectures, modular system architecture definition, integration methodologies, and test set development to include hardware in the loop and software in the loop.

In this role, you will lead and manage all aspects of the Embedded Systems Department, providing strategic direction, technical leadership, and operational oversight. You will also establish partnerships with customer program offices, defense contractors, systems integrators, and other government laboratories to transition cutting‑edge embedded capabilities to operational platforms for the warfighter.

This position may be filled as either a Research and Development Engineer or a non‑tenure Research Faculty.

ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

You Will

• Lead and manage all aspects of the Embedded Systems Department, providing strategic direction, technical leadership, and operational oversight
• Support division leadership in developing and maintaining relationships with sponsors in support of meeting funding objectives
• Build and direct a multidisciplinary team focused on embedded systems architectures, complex systems integration, hardware‑software integration, edge analytics, and mission‑critical control systems
• Lead individual research projects and portfolios including developing technical concepts, writing winning proposals, staffing projects, conducting research, managing budgets, and delivering high‑quality results
• Provide technical oversight of embedded hardware and software development, ensuring quality and rigor of technical deliverables and research outputs
• Transition cutting‑edge embedded systems capabilities to operational platforms for the warfighter
• Recruit, mentor, and develop staff with expertise in embedded systems, edge computing, and real‑time control
• Foster a culture of innovation, technical excellence, and mission focus

Additional Responsibilities for the Higher‑Level Position Includes

• Support development of a comprehensive roadmap for embedded systems and integration methodologies pertinent to systems of interest to the division including but not limited to missiles, hypersonics, and uncrewed aerial systems
• Establish and maintain partnerships with customer program offices, defense contractors, systems integrators, and other government laboratories
• Build strategic relationships with Defense Industrial Base stakeholders
• Collaborate across ARL departments and with external stakeholders to integrate embedded solutions into larger system architectures

Required Skills / Experience Areas

• Embedded hardware architectures (microcontrollers, SoCs, FPGAs)
• Real‑time operating systems (RTOS) and bare‑metal programming
• Hardware‑software co‑design and integration
• Edge computing and edge analytics frameworks
• Data acquisition systems and sensor integration
• Automated control systems and algorithms
• Cyber‑resilient embedded system design
• Testing methodologies (Hardware in the loop, software in the loop, etc.)
• System integration methodologies
• Embedded systems challenges in complex DoD systems (e.g., maritime, aerospace, ground vehicles, unmanned systems)
• Past success using edge device deployment for operational environments including size, weight, and power (SWaP) constrained designs, environmental hardening and ruggedization, real‑time performance optimization, and system security and anti‑tamper techniques
• Past success in writing white papers or reports
• Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility, if required

Your working location will be fully on‑site located in State College, PA. This role requires periodic travel to remote locations.

BACKGROUND CHECKS / CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) requires eligibility to obtain a government security clearance, participation in the ARL drug testing program, and compliance with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply.

BENEFITS

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full‑time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.